Importance

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Abstract

The present invention is concerned with apparatus for selectively opening and closing doors to vacuum bodies, for example the bodies of industrial vacuum loaders and cleaners and the vacuum bodies used in pneumatic sewer cleaners. The doors involved in the primary embodiment are those which cover the opening between the body and a filter bag house or a vacuum pump or the opening which may be provided for venting the body to outside air to prevent overfilling of the body. The apparatus of the present invention includes a sensor for providing a signal to a pneumatic cylinder. Pneumatic valves and switches are also provided for governing which openings are to be opened and which are to be closed for the desired operating mode. In the preferred embodiment, the cylinders are coupled to hinged doors for swinging same into and out of sealing contact with the openings. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus of the present invention serves as a back-up for a float system which is used to prevent overfilling when the vacuum body is filled to the desired level, and in the event the float does not operate to prevent overfilling, a sensor generates a signal to cause extension of the piston of a pneumatic cylinder to move a door to seal a vacuum outlet to the body and prevent overfilling of same.

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First Claim